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This is a guest post from a friend of mine. Someone needs to read this today. I hope this encourages you.

From the womb we are taught how to latch on to our mother, how to crawl and walk, to know right from wrong, and how to grow up into responsible adults. All these lessons are for our benefit, so that we may succeed in life, be productive members of society. Our relationship with Christ is the same. He starts us out on milk
and we grow to be able to handle the meat. As we digest His Word, walk on the path that He has laid before us, and do His will, we become citizens of heaven. None of these things happen without obedience in studying His Word, in how we live our lives, and in our surrender to Him. Remember Moses and the Promised Land? No further instructions, just a destination. I remember because there was a time I heard God’s calling with a similar message. I left my family and friends, my business, my home, and everything I owned. I packed my three children and only what would fit in the trunk of my car and drove 3,000 miles to where God told me. I was to reconcile with my husband. Did my family think I was crazy? Yes! Did they try and convince me to rethink things? Absolutely! But, thankfully, I could only obey God’s voice.

Infidelity had found a place in my marriage. It was an unwelcome guest in my home. Lies, deceit, and rejection replaced love, honor, and trust. As the enemy ripped my marriage apart, separating what God joined together, I heard God telling me to come to Him. When The Lord showed me Hosea 6:1-2 and I understood:

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭1-2‬ KJV)

He would make me brand new, heal all my wounds, and prepare me for His use, but first I had to surrender. My instructions weren’t easy. Surrender meant I wasn’t “dressing like the enemy” even when arguing was the only communication. I was not to justify my pain by reciprocating and having my own affair. I could not give up when the love of my life walked out the door. Through this I have learned that God definitely goes before us and is our rear guard. His provision was abundant, blessing me every step of the way. Not only did He prepare us a place to stay and provide financially, He had a job for me on my third day in town. As I continued to be obedient and sensitive to His voice, my faith was strengthened. Not only was He transforming me, God was transforming my husband as well. Arguing, pride, and selfishness were replaced with wisdom, humility, and love. What the enemy tried to use to destroy us, God used to bring us back together. He did say “no weapon formed against us shall prosper.”

Today, our love is better than before. We have allowed God to be the center of our marriage, directing our paths and our hearts. We are no longer keeping record of wrongdoings (1Corinthians13), but serving one another as we serve God. God’s Word said that we must forgive one another of our sins, making allowances for each other’s mistakes (Colossians 3:13). I cringe to think of what my life would be like if I had not listened to God: my children would not be saved, my marriage may not have survived, and my walk with the Lord would be lukewarm at best. Because of my obedience my entire family has been set free. The bible says a wife can save her family (1 Corinthians7:16), and the only way that can happen is being obedient and sensitive to the Word of God.

The day I said ‘yes’ to God changed my life for the better. God is a gentleman; He will not tear down walls without our permission. I allowed to Him to destroy the barriers that kept me from hearing Him, and He was able to transform me more and more into His image. Because I was obedient He has opened up the flood gates of heaven and is continuously pouring out more blessings that I could even imagine. Prayers are no longer hindered and the power of the Holy Spirit is steadily rising within me. God wants our obedience. When we surrender to Him there is nothing He won’t do for us.

Sometimes things aren’t simple. Things don’t always feel good. But marriage is a commitment between man, woman, and God. Love extends beyond every challenge. Spouses are a gift given to help fulfill God’s purpose for each of us. This song is a reminder that it is all for God’s glory.

My son’s class has a volunteer grandparent. She has been with his class nearly everyday since September. Her spirit is so sweet and she loves each of the children tremendously.

I had the chance to talk to her one day about her family. She told me that she and her husband had been married for 50 years!! Then she told me that he’d spent the last 15 years in a nursing home. In 1997 he had a stroke that left him severely incapacitated. She also told me that she goes everyday and spends some time with him. Today, I found out that her dear husband has died. I am sad for her. I can only imagine the new grief his death has caused.

Nowadays, people would say that she became a widow the day her husband suffered a stroke. But, her commitment to him continued until death. She is such an amazing woman, such an amazing wife! I pray that God will comfort and establish peace in her heart. Please join me and pray for Mom-Mom T. as she walks this new path with God.

Marriage is not easy. It takes work, communication and most of all love. When times are difficult the only way to survive is to turn back to love. Love seeks truth. Love seeks peace. Love stands firm. Love weathers the storm.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:7, 8 KJV)